Shamrock Rovers made a mockery of any sense of vulnerability with a comfortable victory over the form side in the Premier Division.
Shelbourne came to Tallaght Stadium buoyed by four wins in succession that had left them looking lustfully at the European spots, instead of ominously over their shoulders at the relegation play-off.
But after a minute they were chasing their tails against the champions, with Richie Towell bringing Damien Duff's side back down to earth by cushioning a lovely finish on the run to complete a swift passing move.
Rovers, minus the injured Jack Byrne and suspended Danny Mandroiu, quickly clicked into gear. That duo’s absence was part of the fallout from Monday’s shock defeat away to Drogheda, in which the latter saw red and their talisman limped off.
If needed, Towell’s opener seemed to settle any nerves there might have been among the 7,011 in the stands, most of whom, other than the 800 who sold out the away section, wanted to see the Hoops bounce back.
Rory Gaffney’s second came courtesy of a sublime swivel to create space in the box, followed by a firm low shot that Brendan Clarke got down to but couldn’t keep out.
That created even further breathing space in the 31st minute and, regardless of Shels’ renewed confidence, Rovers’ ability to control the tempo from thereafter meant a comeback was never on the cards.
Their best opportunity to halve the deficit was also the last action of the first half – perhaps that moment could have changed the momentum.
Instead, Sean Boyd’s stooping free header from a pin-point Shane Farrell free-kick scuffed off his shoulder and into the grateful arms of Alan Mannus.
With Byrne and Mandroiu watching in their club tracksuits, Graham Burke took his opportunity to shine as the creative fulcrum.
The three-times capped Republic of Ireland international set the move going for Rovers’ opener, freeing Gaffney down the right flank for the forward to deliver his cross into the box.
Dylan Watts, given more responsibility to break forward as a result of Mandroiu’s absence, dummied cleverly to allow Towell meet the ball at just the right time.
Duff looked at his watch and shook his head in disgust at conceding any initiative so quickly.
Shels’ inability to carve out any openings or even sustain any kind of attacking momentum was illustrated by Boyd being booked for a foul on Gary O'Neill before snatching wildly at a long-range volley - they didn't manage an effort on target in the second half.
Playmaker Jack Moylan, who has received plaudits for his performances and goals in recent weeks was replaced by John Ross Wilson on the hour mark as Duff switched things up and moved Farrell closer to Boyd.
Still it didn’t work, and it was Rovers who came close to adding some shine to the scoreline when a double effort by captain Ronan Finn was kept out.
Gaffney and Watts had also been denied by a combination of goalkeeper Clarke and centre-back Aaron Driscoll at the start of the second half.
But one fast start was all that was required to give Rovers the upper hand here, not to mention at the top of the table, where they now have an eight-point lead over Dundalk.
Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Hoare, Lopes, Kavanagh; Finn (c) (Farrugia 79), O’Neill, Watts (McCann 80), Towell, Lyons (Grace 80); Burke; Gaffney (Greene 79).
Shelbourne: Clarke; O’Driscoll, Byrne (c), Griffin; Farrell, Dervin (Molloy 66), Lunney, Hakiki (Ledwidge 59), Kane; Moylan (Wilson 59); Boyd.
Referee: R Hennessy
